This latest unveiling brings new images and details for the wider XE range, including data on the line-up’s engine range.

Internationally, the XE will be offered with an all-new family of turbocharged four-cylinder engines known as ‘Ingenium’, available in both petrol and diesel form, along with a range-topping supercharged petrol six.

However, if you’re in the market for a four-cylinder petrol XE, there’s a catch: the new sedan will debut with Jaguar’s existing Ford-derived engine, also featured in the larger XF sedan.

That means that while the diesel Ingenium engines will be offered from launch, the all-new petrol Ingenium engines will follow later.

All models will be offered in rear-wheel-drive form only, although Jaguar is understood to be planning all-wheel-drive variants.

Engines

Diesel (New Ingenium Engines)

Two turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder Ingenium engines will be offered with the XE.

Detailed in recent weeks, the diesel units will deliver 120kW and 380Nm in entry form, growing to 132kW and 430Nm in up-spec models.

Both diesels output peak power at 4000rpm, and torque hits its stride between 1750 and 2500rpm.

That ZF eight-speed auto is again featured, although a six-speed manual is offered in the entry-level model.

Jaguar says the manual model will offer best-ever fuel consumption figures of just 3.8 l/100km, while the auto is one small step behind on 3.9 l/100km.

Fuel consumption with the more powerful diesel is listed at 4.2 l/100km.

Jaguar claims 8.2 and 8.4 second runs (auto/manual) with the lower-powered diesel, while the auto-only top tune boasts a 7.8 second run.

Petrol (Existing Carry-Over Engines)

The 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol unit will be offered in two tunes: 147kW and 280Nm at the entry end, and 177kW and 340Nm in mid-spec models.

Both petrol mills deliver peak power at 5500rpm, and maximum torque between 1750 and 4000rpm.

Topping the petrol range is the supercharged 3.0 litre V6 - the same unit featured with the two-door F-Type - producing 250kW and 450Nm of torque.

An eight-speed auto is standard across all three engines, with the two four-cylinder units listing fuel use at 7.5 l/100km and the V6 listing 8.1 l/100km.

Jaguar claims a 0-100km/h times of 7.7 and 6.8 seconds for the four-cylinder engines, while the super-six boasts a sharper 5.1 second run.

The carmaker is also expected to launch a special 365kW Special Vehicle Operations-tuned XE SVR model in the future, powered by the F-TYPE’s big 5.0 litre V8.

Confirmation of that hero model, however, is still to come.

Dimensions & Technologies

The new XE measures 4672mm in length, riding on a 2835mm wheelbase.

Its new ‘iQ[AI]’ architecture is a largely aluminium affair (over 75 percent), with kerb weights ranging from 1474 to 1565kg for diesel models and 1530 to 1665kg for petrol versions.

This means that, despite the debut of Jaguar’s new iQ[AI] aluminium architecture, the XE is still heavier than BMW’s 3 Series which starts at 1385kg, and the new C-Class that starts at 1395kg.

Jaguar’s new midsizer is also its first sedan to feature an aluminium double wishbone front suspension setup.

Inspired by the package introduced with the new F-TYPE, the design promises stiffness equivalent to the performance-focused XFR sedan.

At the rear is an integral link system that also features an aluminium-intensive design, promising significant benefits over the usual multi-link arrangement.

The XE is also the first Jaguar to feature the latest generation of Jaguar’s Electric Power Assisted Steering system.

Jaguar claims its EPAS offers greater tuning ability than conventional hydraulic systems, and other features include variable steering damping, enhanced low-speed manoeuvring and greater control through the Jaguar Drive Control system.

The XE also debuts a new All Surface Progress Control system that “works like a low-speed cruise control to deliver optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals”.

The new midsized Jag will be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant in the UK, recently given a huge AU$3.4 billion upgrade.

Australia

Local details won’t be confirmed until closer to the XE’s Australian launch in the third quarter of 2015, but we can likely expect the range to match the circa-$60,000 starting points of its 3 Series, C-Class and A4 rivals.

Likewise, the XE S should enter at around the $93,430 and $105,000 price points of the BMW 335i and Audi S4.

TMR Comments

Andy | 02 Oct 2014 03:42

The range starts at GBP27k, so should be just over $49k here provided Jaguar don't price gouge.

Balthazaaaaargh Andy | 02 Oct 2014 04:39

Oh yes, and what does the 3 Series and C-Class ranges start at in the UK?
I wouldn't pay too much attention to the overseas prices of premium cars... sometimes they're close, but most of the time they're well off.

H8r Balthazaaaaargh | 02 Oct 2014 05:15

Australia tax

Andy | 05 Oct 2014 09:48

Ah, but the UK has 20% VAT (GST) we have 10% GST, so the prices should be broadly similar.

Jamie Richards | 27 Oct 2014 00:09

The XE reveal at Earl's Court was pretty awesome. Reminded me of a James Bond movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc_DTzKQafA&list=UULgpBlJDc2aY_WSVTuhUqTA&index=4
Looking forward to seeing the aussie prices!